An impressive victory for Liverpool.
Liverpool began their Champions League campaign with a dramatic victory over Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side recorded a 3-2 win over the French champions.
Daniel Sturridge, James Milner and Roberto Firmino got the goals as Liverpool let a two-goal lead slip and then rescued the win in stoppage time.
Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players:
Alisson – 6
The Brazilian goalkeeper made a couple of saves when called upon and could do little to prevent PSG’s goals.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
The full-back had the freedom to push-on at every available opportunity, as Neymar refused to track back. Alexander-Arnold had a lot more touches (54) of the ball than Robertson (32) in the opening period as Liverpool funnelled their attacks down their right-hand side.
The England international was a threat going forward and a constant attacking outlet.
Joe Gomez – 6.5
Gomez has had an impressive start to the season and could be Van Dijk’s long-term defensive partner.
One or two of his forward passes were a little loose against PSG. He had helped keep their expensive attacking trio relatively muted until their late goal.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Solid defensively and neat in possession, Van Dijk didn’t really put a foot wrong until Kylian Mbappe’s goal, when he was wrongfooted after Salah conceded possession.
Andrew Robertson – 7
Robertson’s cross for Sturridge’s goal was stunning. The Scot hit a wonderful, first-time ball into his teammate who guided the ball home. He was also defensively sound.
James Milner – 9
Milner has arguably been Liverpool’s best player this season and he started this match in flying form. The 32-year-old won the ball back, started moves with intelligent forward passes and unsettled PSG by pressing effectively.
Angel Di Maria didn’t get a moment’s rest with Milner snapping at his heels and forcing him to either play the ball back or turn it over.
The former Leeds midfielder scored from the penalty spot and he played a key role in creating the goal.
His sharp forward pass set Salah away before PSG conceded a penalty, which Milner buried. Milner also won the ball back before Firmino’s winner.
At the moment, he is indispensable to Klopp’s team.
Jordan Henderson – 7.5
The Liverpool captain returned to the team, with Naby Keita rested, and had one of his better nights. He was generally neat in possession, worked hard and helped prevent PSG from getting a grip of the game in midfield.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 8
Wijnaldum won Liverpool’s penalty after being fouled with a clumsy challenge. He kept things ticking over in midfield and helped out defensively.
Mohamed Salah – 6
He had a goal disallowed and kept showing for the ball and trying to find a way through PSG’s defence, but it wasn’t a vintage display from Salah. The Egyptian will be back banging in goals soon. However, right now he’s a few levels below his brilliant best. His poor pass to Firmino was intercepted and led to PSG’s second goal.
Sadio Mane – 6
Mane was a threat in the opening half an hour but faded as the game went on. Of the players that started and finished the match, only Allison touched the ball fewer times.
Daniel Sturridge – 7
On his first Champions League start since March 2012, Sturridge scored with a brilliant header.
The striker wasn’t as involved as in general play as much as Roberto Firmino would be, and he didn’t press from the front like Firmino, but he took his goal very well.
STURRIDGE!
The forgotten man at Anfield last season has fired #LFC in front with a bullet header!
Liverpool v PSG is live on Virgin Media Sport! #UCL#VMSport pic.twitter.com/IUjXWq3ppz
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 18, 2018
Substitutes
Roberto Firmino – 8
The Brazilian came on for the final 20 minutes and scored a dramatic winner in stoppage time.
Xherdan Shaqiri & Fabinho – N/A
Not on long enough to rate.
